Just in case you were in the market for a new home bar, or one of the finest spirits to emerge from the Cognac region, the iconic Hennessy Paradis Imperial has been re-envisioned in dramatic fashion.
When you’re royalty, you tend to get what you want. So it was with the Dowager Empress of Russia who requested cognac house Hennessy to produce a very special drop for the birthday of her son, Tsar Alexander I.
That was back in 1818 and since then Hennessy Paradis Imperial, a blend of the finest eaux-de-vie – representing less than one per cent of the spirits of a given vintage – that were lovingly matured in old casks, has remained one of the world’s most coveted spirits.
Tradition Reimagined
However, even tradition can do with a spruce up from time to time and Maison Hennessy has turned to artist Arik Levy to create the cognac’s newest decanter iteration.
Not only did Levy work with master crystal cutters to create a striking decanter with a faceted design that captures subtle variations in lighting to enhance the cognac’s golden colour, but he also created a ‘nomad‘ case in which to store it, complete with white gloves and crystal tulip tasting glasses.
The Last Trunk You’ll Ever Need
Not to be outdone, Louis Vuitton has also come to the party, producing a spectacular, special order trunk in which to keep this prized libation. The leather trunk houses four magnums of Paradis Imperial as well as the same tasting tool kit used by the Hennessy Tasting Committee. So there’s that.
If you’re lucky enough to sample this historic spirit, you’ll discover a subtle refinement with hints of jasmine and orange blossom spiced with smoky accents. It’s enough for you to ignore the US$273,000 price tag (alternatively the nomad case is priced at a much more palatable US$84,000).
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